Wait, wait, O'wait! That was what they call a rhetorical question, got it? I don't expect, nor do I want, an answer to that question. I feel bad enough already, for goodness sake!

I did get up on time, at least, and I got to work early, as usual. I had foregone the oatmeal and got a bagel at work again, and I ate it as I started the workday..

Just because it's Friday, I'll tell you how the workday starts for me: first, I change my shoes, then I shut down and reboot the CT machine, then I reboot the other computers. Then I start the warm-up on the CT machine, and I boot the RIS system and start printing out the days' schedule. Three copies, one for the cabinet door, one for the docs and an abbreviated one for whoever's sitting at the console. Then I get on the PACS system and check for anomalies and if I find any, I decide what I need to do about them. Then I switch the PC over to the VOXAR, the 3-D imaging system, and check to see if there were any angiograms that I need to reconstruct in either 3D or MPR (MultiPlanar Reconstruction). Do those if necessary, and then I turn to the other computer and start the music. I usta have about three MP3 disks that I would use, but someone has stolen two of them, damn their eyes anyway.

Next I check the drug box and write down on the log that I checked it, along with the lock number, and I get out the IV tray and fill it up if it needs it and then I open up all of the other locked cabinets.

Then I get the ice bucket and go over to Urgent Care and get ice for the patient's drinks. Next, I come back and go through the inpatient requests, checking the BUN and Creatinine levels if they're gonna be getting IV contrast. Then I call each of the floors that have sent requests and talk to the patient's nurses to make sure that they haven't eaten breakfast and discuss their lab values and assess any special needs that the patient might have, like when they need to be done, if they're having other tests that we need to coordinate, stuff like that. And in the meantime, I have called transportation to have them get any non-contrast exam patients that I can get done before the radiologists arrive at 08:00.

All of this is, of course, subject to change, especially if there are any ER or ICU patients that need to be done stat or anything like that.

And then, at 08:00, the radiologists get there, the other two techs get there, and the ball starts rolling at full speed.

And that's about how it went this morning, only there were no inpatients and no ER/ICU patients.

On my late weeks, all I do when I get there is simply dive in and start humpin'.

Anyways, today I didn't realize that I hadn't taken my drugs until I was on the way home, and I still wasn't sure until I'd checked the pill box. I'd noticed driving home that my head was starting to pound a little, driving the tinnitis into the background. I was glad that I didn't have the opportunity to take my BP any time today, the knowledge would've given me a coronary. Scary stuff, I know that the systolic was over 200, that's what I take those damned pills for. I really wonder how long I could survive without them....

Well, since Karen was going to be gone this weekend, I volunteered to take call tonight from 20:30 until 08:00 tomorrow morning. Trying to make some money, heh. Doesn't seem to be working, though. The evening guy called at 19:45, said that he was sick and going home at 20:00, so I've even had an extra hour, but the phone, it no ding-a-ling, y'know? And I'm not making any money sitting here pounding this keyboard, either.

Have I mentioned lately how much I like my keyboard? Not this one, the music one. Well, I like this one pretty well, too, of course. It's a Cirque split keyboard, and it's improved my typing tremendously. Anyways, the one downstairs. Love it. I'm starting to figger out the chords and I'm getting pretty good at The House of the Rising Sun just using the keys and not the accompaniment feature. I can also do other songs, of course, but that's one of my all-time favorites, everyone that knows me knows that. The Animals, heh.

22:23...
Well, made a little bit of money anyway. One patient is all, though. I had been warned when I got called that it was gonna be rough to get a CT on this patient, but t'warn't no problem at all. I've acquired a facility that allows me to soothe even the roughest beastie, just like music is supposed to, heh.

On the way home, I stopped by Walgreens and got, amongst other things, some mint chocolate chip ice cream, and I'm having a bowl right now; a much smaller bowl, though, than I would have had nine months ago. Lotsa carbs there, but I haven't eaten much today.

Man, is it good! Forbidden fruit, you know the story. Mmmmm.

The ER was pretty full when I left, but nothing that looked like my services would be immediately needed, the doc said. Nice doc, heh.

I washed a load of clothes, and I really should go downstairs and check the drain before I try to go to sleep. But I'm kinda half-afraid of what I might find?

03:09... Saturday AM!
Well, to first finish off the thought in that last paragraph... the drain is working just fine, thank you.

And as to what I'm doing up at this hour? Why, making money, that's what. I didn't do but three CT patients, but there's another days' entry, which I will endeavor to write for your pleasure; it will be only after I get eight hours of sleep, though.